A good hair care routine is one that's simple and effective. Arming yourself with the right tools and information about the chemistry of hair is the best first step. No matter what hair type and texture you have, you'll be able to perform your routine quickly and have great-looking hair.

Steps

Part 1

Starting a Basic Routine

1

Choose shampoo and conditioner wisely. They're not all created alike. Choose products that work well with your hair type so your hair will look the best it can be. If possible, go for sulfate-free shampoo and silicone-free conditioner; these ingredients are hard on hair and cause it to look dry and dull over time. Check the label. Here's a short guide to what products work well with what hair types:[1]

For dry hair that's prone to getting frizzy, look for moisturizing or hydrating products that contain oils, butters and other nourishing ingredients.

For oily or fine hair, look for clarifying products that contain ingredients like tea tree oil and chamomile.

For hair that breaks and frays easily, look for restorative products that contain proteins like collagen and keratin.

2

Wash your hair two or three times a week. You might think it's healthy to wash your hair daily, but that's actually too often for most people. Washing your hair too often strips your hair of protective oils naturally produced by your scalp, leaving it more prone to getting frizzy and frayed. For most men, two to three shampoos a week works best.

If your hair gets greasy fast, consider doing a water-only wash on the days when you don't shampoo. Water will cleanse your hair without stripping away the oils.

When you first start washing less, your hair will keep overproducing oil for a week or so until things balance out. Just be patient, and soon your hair will stay clean longer.

3

Use warm or cool water instead of hot. Hot showers are great, but the heat of the water dries out hair. It's better to use warm or cool water to wash your hair. If you have to have a steaming hot shower, try finishing with a warm or cool rinse so your hair will look healthy and shiny rather than frizzy and dull when it dries.

4

Spot dry your hair instead of toweling it roughly. Hair is weak when it's wet, since water causes the keratin molecules in hair to stretch. That's why doing a rough towel dry treatment can break your hair. Instead, use a towel to dab your hair dry and get rid of the excess water, then let it finish air drying.

Part 2

Styling Your Hair

1

Use a gel or pomade, but not too much. If you like a neat, orderly style, using a gel or pomade while your hair is still wet can help your hair look freshly groomed throughout the day. Use only a dime-sized amount of product if you have a short haircut, since using too much will make your hair look greasy.

Gel is generally lighter and easier to work through your hair. Look for one that's alcohol-free, since alcohol dries out hair.

Pomades and creams are great for curly hair, since they're thicker. They're also more difficult to wash out, so use sparingly.

2

Comb your hair after applying product. If you used a product, use a comb to distribute it throughout your hair. Then create a neat part on one side or the other and style your hair however you like. It's generally best to comb your hair in the direction it grows: comb the hair in the back and sides down, and comb the hair on top forward. If your hair is long in the front, finish by sweeping it in the opposite direction of your part.[2]

If your hair is curly or kinky, use a wide-tooth comb to get rid of any tangles - or forego combing altogether. Using a fine-tooth comb will cause your hair to frizz.

You don't always have to comb your hair forward. Experiment with different looks; try tousling the top instead of parting it, or combing the top straight up to spike it.

3

Blow dry your hair sparingly. Using a blow dryer is a good way to dry your hair as quickly as possible, but doing it every day will eventually start causing hair damage. If you're concerned about thinning hair, ditch the dryer and let your hair air dry instead.

When you do blow your hair dry, point the dryer in the direction of hair growth to help your hair lie flat.

Or if you want more volume, point it against the direction of hair growth as you dry it.

4

Maintain longer styles. If your hair is longer than an inch or two, you'll need to take a few extra steps to make sure it stays in good condition and looks great.

Deep condition if your hair gets frizzy. Buy a deep conditioning product and use it once a week to keep your hair in good shape.

Use a wide-toothed comb instead of a brush. Brushes break long hair; remove the tangles with a wide-tooth comb instead.

Consider a hair oil. Using a small amount of oil in your hair while its wet will act as a leave-in conditioner. A little goes a long way.

5

Take regular trips to the barber shop. A great routine won't make a difference if you're working with unkempt hair to begin with. Some men get it trimmed once a month, while once every three months is sufficient for others. Find your routine and keep up with it.

Part 3

Caring for Thinning Hair

1

Massage your scalp in the shower. Massage increases blood circulation, which stimulates hair growth. It can help you keep the hair you have and grow new hair as well. Use your fingers to rub your scalp in a circular motion, focusing on the areas where your hair is thinning.

Some oils are believed to help further stimulate growth. Try massaging with coconut oil, tea tree oil, or almond oil before you shampoo, then wash out the oil.

2

Don't handle your hair roughly. Your hair will be more likely to break and fall out if you scrub it with shampoo, use hot water to rinse it and then scrub it again with a towel. Handle your hair with care at every step in your routine.

3

Have a balanced diet. There are a few essential nutrients that help hair stay thick and strong. make sure your diet is well-balanced to nourish your hair from the inside out. Using topical products will only get you so far if your diet isn't healthy for your hair. Here's what you need:

B vitamins. These are found in meat, eggs, and leafy green vegetables. If you're a vegetarian, you may want to start taking a B vitamin supplement.

Omega 3 fatty acids. Salmon, sardines, avocados, and walnuts have loads of this important nutrient.

Score0 / 0

Part 1 Quiz

If your hair is getting frizzy and frayed, what might be the problem?

You're using a conditioner that doesn't contain silicone

Nope! In fact, silicone is bad for your hair. Over time it can cause the hair to dry out and make it more likely to break. For best results, stick to a silicone-free conditioner. Guess again!

You're only washing your hair twice a week

Try again! Washing your hair two to three times a week is good for your hair. Any more strips your hair of its natural oils, leaving it unprotected and prone to frizziness. Pick another answer!

You're using a sulfate-based shampoo

Yes! Many of the most common shampoo brands contain sulfate. The removes oil but is harsh on the hair, causing it to break over time. Read the label and pick a sulfate-free product with proteins like collagen and keratin. Read on for another quiz question.

Score0 / 0

Part 2 Quiz

What is the best way to style curly hair?

Use gel and a wide-toothed comb

Almost! Gels tend to be lighter than other hair products, and are better suited to fine, straight hair, rather than curly hair. Click on another answer to find the right one...

Use a pomade and a wide-toothed comb

Correct! The thickness of a pomade or cream is ideal for hair with a curly texture, and a wide-toothed comb prevents frizzing. Read on for another quiz question.

Use a cream and a fine-tooth comb

Not quite! Fine-tooth combs can cause curly hair to frizz. Click on another answer to find the right one...

Use gel and a fine-tooth comb

Nope! Curly hair tends to be thicker and drier than straight hair, and needs a stronger product. Curly hair is also prone to frizzing, which can be caused by fine-tooth combs. Pick another answer!

Score0 / 0

Part 3 Quiz

What foods can you eat to prevent hair loss?

Oranges and other foods rich in Vitamin C

Try again! Vitamin C is great for immune function, but doesn't necessarily have a role in hair growth and maintenance. Click on another answer to find the right one...

Turkey

Exactly! Meat products, like turkey, are high in protein and B vitamins, both of which are essential to hair health. Look for lean, unprocessed meats like roast turkey breast or steak. Read on for another quiz question.

You're helping people by reading wikiHow

wikiHow's mission is to help people learn, and we really hope this article helped you. Now you are helping others, just by visiting wikiHow.

Barefoot College is a social enterprise with a mission to connect poor rural communities to technology and education. By doing so, they empower individuals to contribute to the wellbeing of their communities.

Click below to let us know you read this article, and wikiHow will donate to Barefoot College on your behalf. Thanks for helping us achieve our mission of helping people learn how to do anything.

Try putting some coconut oil in your hair, and then washing it out with a bit of shampoo. Follow up with some conditioner. Lastly, consider consulting your doctor or hair specialist, as there could be a number of factors contributing to your hair loss.

Video

Tips

Don't comb hair when it is damp, such as immediately after a shower. As mentioned, here is more likely to break when wet & combs tug the damp locks down from their very roots. Softly dry it with a towel first, & then carefully comb it when it has been sufficiently air dried, making sure it doesn't scrape your scalp.

Get regular haircuts and trims from your trusted barber.

Massage your scalp with your fingertips or the pads of your fingers--not with your fingernails.

If you keep your hair cut very short, you probably won't need any styling treatments, as the oils from your scalp will be sufficient for your hair, and the short hair basically styles itself.

Don't be cheap about the styling products. Cheap ones will either dry out your hair or grease it up. Find good quality gel, pomade, mousse, and whichever other products that are best for your hair type. They may be a bit expensive, but you only need to use a little to do a lot.